Centennial Mall

Nebraska's Centennial Mall is more than just Lincoln. It's Nebraska's front door to the State Capitol, home to our Unicameral. It's where 35,000 school children visit each year to learn about their state. And it is the front door to the University of Nebraska, our state's oldest and largest university system..and the cultural and intellectual hub of the state.

There's a reason our state motto is "The Good Life." Nebraska's Centennial Mall shows us, our visitors, and our children and grandchildren, what's important to us and what has influenced us. Most importantly, it's a place where we can gather, learn or even protest.

Nebraska's Centennial Mall
Built in 1967 to commemorate the state’s centennial year, Centennial Mall extends from the State Capitol seven blocks north on what would be 15th Street and is part of the City Parks system. The Mall serves as the scenic connection between the Nebraska’s iconic State Capitol and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The mall’s fountains have been a source of pride for many Nebraskans and are featured in a variety of the state’s tourism and promotional materials.

1922 - Capitol architect Bertram Goodhue proposes a seven-block wide avenue to create a formal approach to the north side of the building.
1937 - City and State leaders designate a 120-foot wide right-of-way from the Capitol to the University and formed a joint commission to begin creating the Mall.
1967 - Centennial Mall is built to commemorate the state's centennial year and extends from the State Capitol seven blocks north to the University of Nebraska campus.
1987 - the Capital Environs Commission was established to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of the area around the Capitol.
1997 - The City and State commissioned a master plan which envisioned the Spirit of Nebraska Mall. The plan called for closing all seven blocks of the Mall and was estimated to cost $20 million. This redevelopment effort failed due to lack of funding.
2009 - The City of Lincoln makes $3 million of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and keno funds available for improvements to Nebraska's Centennial Mall. This is the first time money has been available for this purpose. The Nebraska Centennial Mall campaign committee begins organizing a fundraising effort.
2010 - The Capitol Environs Commission approves a $7.5 million master plan for Nebraska's Centennial Mall
2011 - The first $500,000 private donation is received by the campaign. The Nebraska Capitol Commission, which includes Gov. Dave Heinemann, and the Capitol Environs Commission approve a joint resolution to support the project.

Centennial Mall

Click on the image to read the Centennial Mall renovation story in L Magazine, August 2011